“I don’t know what the reaction will be if Real don’t win the ­Champions League,” said Ferguson. “They have that Spanish mentality which has seen them change their manager many times over the years. For Jose and Perez and the ­supporters, the European Cup is going to be ­really important this season.

“They last won it in 2002 and, ­considering their history, 11 years is a long time. But it is the same with Mourinho as it is with Ronaldo.

“He’s also got two years on his ­contract and everyone seems to be assuming that he will leave. But I heard the same thing last year.

“I don’t know how Real can replace someone like Mourinho.

“If you are making a reasonable assessment of his time at Real ­Madrid then you have to take into account just how good Barcelona have been.

“They have been exceptional. They have won the European Cup twice and the Spanish title four or five times before Madrid won it last year.

“Would you really want to let a great coach like Jose Mourinho go?

“I don’t think Perez would want that. Jose has given me no indication he will be leaving.”